Vault #1 - Review

Issue: Vault #1
Writer: Sam Sarkar
Artist: Garrie Gastonny
Colors: Sakti Yuwono
Cover: Bagus Hutomo
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: July 2011
Pages: 32
Price: $3.50

“A small team of treasure hunters struggles to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the ‘Graveyard of the North Atlantic’.Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature’s fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash from The Vault.”

Artwork: 4.0 out of 5
This is seriously a solid-looking issue that doesn’t have a lot of horror elements in it until the end. A huge plus on this book was the characters staying perfect from panel to panel. Every page had so much detail that it was like a moving painting telling a visual story. The colors can stand up there with some of the best on the market today. The underwater scenes especially stand out as some of the best in the issue. The main highlight for me though was the final page when the mystery finally presented itself in a great creepy visual. Oh and the cover... GORE-Geous!

Story: 4.0 out of 5
This story had a lot of build, and I mean a lot of build. Personally I am not a fan of underwater stuff like diving or treasure hunting, but Sarkar did such a great job of keeping me hooked from start to finish that I could not put this book down. The dialogue was perfect from page to page, meaning nothing seemed out of place. Much like the artwork, a great amount of detail went into the story as well. There is a good amount of technical wording here that was, in all honesty, so needed to tell what was going on. Overall this was a good one to read.

Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Every now and then I am excited to check out a book early and this one was a perfect example of why. Horror style elements weren’t always there, but a great intriguing story was. Nothing about this issue ever made me bored to where I wanted to put it down, it was so solid from start to finish. The big bang will come in issue #2 and I expect something along the lines of The Thing to take place. Now is the time to put this on your pull list and I am giving it my recommendation with two thumbs… wait I don’t have thumbs… 2 eyeballs looking up!

If you would like to buy or know more about Vault #1 you can find it at http://www.imagecomics.com/

The Killing Jar #5 – Review

Issue: The Killing Jar #5
Writer / Creator: Justin Zimmerman
Pencils: Russell Brown
Publisher: Bricker-Down Productions
Release Date: April 2011
Pages: 24
Price: $4.00

“A small Colorado town. Three drug runners with a van filled with product. Two police officers investigating suspicious activity. A heroic young woman with a violent past, a mentally handicapped little brother and her dead father’s .38 police special. And a throng of ravenous townspeople out of their minds with drug lust. Mix and…BANG!“

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5
This is the most visually stunning issue of this series yet. Not that Brown needed to adjust much of his style over time, but the way this issue comes off is almost breathtaking. The amount of line work is amazing. The shading, the detail, the depth they all just add to the complete package being done so well. I think he is really stating to nail the facial expressions as well. There wasn’t a single panel that I didn’t just love, and those 2 page spreads… GORE-Geous.

Story: 4.0 out of 5
Sadly this issue didn’t have a lot of dialogue. It was basically just action from start to finish, and it was executed so well. The art direction, which plays into the way this issue played out, was just perfect in terms of pacing. While I would have liked a little more wording to have been in the issue it still held up with the rest.

Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
I am 5 issues into this series and still hanging onto the edge of my seat. This issue delivered non-stop action in the form of some stunning visuals. It played out so nicely that I kissed the book when I was done. I like me some Killing Jar and I think it’s about time you did too.

If you would like to know more about The Killing Jar and to purchase copy please go to comixpress.com

Orc Stain Vol. 1 – Review

Issues: Orc Stain Vol. 1
Creator, Writer, Artist & Colorist: James Stokoe
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: December 2010
Pages: 168
Price: $17.99

“For a million millennia the world has cracked and convulsed under the indomitable mob of the orc. Savage, bloodthirsty creatures, they are without number, staining nearly every corner of the globe. The mighty Orc Tzar, newest leader of the mob, marches ever north to find the lost organ of a forgotten god. Only a lone, one-eyed orc with a mysterious gift can find the key to breaking the cycle forever.“

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5
This book is so Gore-Geous it’s beyond words. Wait I can’t do that to you can I? The character designs go way beyond cool to a level of pure awesome. Add on top of that the ink and you just made me drop my jaw. The real clincher though is the colors. This book is just vibrant, I honestly got lost in its radiance time and time again. I want to go back to the characters now, mostly because of the amazing amount of detail used. Not only is Stokoe creating this world but he is pouring so much life into every panel that I want to see a cartoon or movie on this now. This is just hands down GORE-Geous!

Story: 4.5 out of 5
Sometimes when you get a book that looks the way this one does, the story might be lacking. The same can be said when it comes the entire thing being done by one person. However Stokoe knew I was going to read this and figured he would make it as good as he could to please me, and he succeeded. There are times when a man wants to cringe while reading a story and when the mentioning of a gronch is brought up so many times it makes ya squeamish. The story is very interesting, because like the visuals, it’s all new. The dialogue is great, the action is intense and it was just spot on from start to finish.

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
This book is going to be towards to the top of my list for a long time. While it did make me sad to see how long it took to get the issues out, it was rewarding in the end. Plus I bought the trade. The visuals will floor you and the story will have you hooked. Be warned though, this book might not be for the timid. There is a lot of male member talk, and well I wore a cup reading the final 2/3 of it. All in all I think if you read my reviews and like most of the stuff I do, than Orc Stain is perfect for you. POXA GRONKA

If you would like to know more about Orc Stain Vol. 1 you can go to http://www.imagecomics.com/